RICHMOND, Va – (Friday, June 9, 2017) – For the 60th time in 25 seasons, the Richmond Kickers (2-6-4) will take on the Charleston Battery (7-2-3) this Saturday at 7 p.m. on the road at MUSC Health Stadium. This match will be available live on the Kickers TV partner WTVR CBS 6 main channel starting at 7 p.m. and available to stream online through the USL Match Center. The club is hosting an official watch party at Lalo’s Cocina (2617 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220) with happy hour specials from 7-9 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS presented by

HIGHLIGHTS presented by

The Battery hold a slight advantage in the overall series between the two historic clubs, with a record of 26-24-9 over the Kickers. In three meetings in 2016, Charleston edged out the Kickers 2-0 at MUSC Health Stadium before taking a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 win over the Kickers at City Stadium later in the season. The Kickers are 7-17-5 on the road at the Battery, scoring 37 goals and conceding 57.

Richmond is coming off a 0-1 loss to New York Red Bulls II back on June 3 at City Stadium. Despite holding the advantage in both possession and shots, a Brandon Allen 38th minute goal would be the difference as the Kickers dropped their second straight match. This would be the first-ever loss to NYRBII at City Stadium.

The Battery are heading into Saturday’s match following a dramatic 4-4 draw against the visiting Louisville City FC. Romario Williams got Charleston out to a 2-0 lead before Louisville would pull one back in first half stoppage time. Two more second half goals from the Battery’s Chang and Garbanzo would not be enough as Louisville rattled off three for themselves, including an Own Goal by Forrest Lasso to settle for a point at home.

The Kickers come back to City Stadium next Saturday, June 17 as they host the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the BBQ and Bluegrass Fest. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. with live bluegrass music from the Cary Street Ramblers, over 15 craft beers on tap. Then the Kickers take on the Rowdies at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found at RichmondKickers.com.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Richmond: Defender Alex Lee (#18) has appeared in all but one match in 2017, playing 975 minutes in 11 matches. The University of Maryland product made 25 appearances in 2016 for the Kickers. One of Lee’s two goals for Richmond came on the road against the Battery in 2013. Midfielder Raul Gonzalez (#27) has a goal and an assist in his rookie season after making six appearances including five starts. Gonzalez signed with the Kickers just after the start of the 2017 season after a four-year career at the University of Memphis, scoring 13 goals and tallying 13 assists over 65 appearances. Japanese midfielder Yudai Imura (#14) has returned to regular minutes this season after spending the beginning of the season on the sideline due to a hamstring injury. Leading the Kickers in scoring in 2016 with 11 goals, Imura is looking to notch his first goal in 2017. Imura signed with Richmond prior to the 2015 season after a successful showing at the pro combine.

Charleston: On loan from the Battery’s MLS affiliate Atlanta United, forward Romario Williams (#9) leads the team in scoring with 10 goals in 11 appearances this season. That ties his goal tally from the 2016 season which ended with 10 goals in 26 appearances, on loan from the Montreal Impact. Midfielder Justin Portillo (#20) is one of two players this season to play every minute for the Battery. Signing with the Battery in 2014 after four seasons at Coastal Carolina, Portillo has two goals and a team-high five assists for Charleston in 2017. He set up the game winning goal for the Battery in the first meeting between the two clubs in 2016. Defender Taylor Mueller (#4) is in his sixth season in Charleston, and is the other player to have played every minute this season. His debut in 2012 was as a late-game substitute in a victory over the Kickers. The University of Washington product scored the goal that was set up by Portillo in the first meeting between Richmond and Charleston last season.